Gothenburg Gets First Direct UAE Flights This Winter
Gothenburg will gain its first direct air connection with the United Arab Emirates this winter when Etihad Airways launches flights to Abu Dhabi. The new seasonal route will link western Sweden with Etihad’s main hub and give local travellers a new option for reaching the Middle East and Asia without first connecting through another European airport. Tickets for the service are already on sale.
New Gothenburg–Abu Dhabi Route
- Route: Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT)–Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Airline: Etihad Airways
- Launch: 17 December 2026
- Frequency: Four flights per week
- Flight days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- Abu Dhabi–Gothenburg: EY175, 02:50–07:25
- Gothenburg–Abu Dhabi: EY176, 09:10–18:55
- Aircraft: Airbus A321LR
- Season: Until 21 March 2027
- Bookings: Now open
The route will be operated by Etihad’s Airbus A321LR, configured with First, Business and Economy cabins. The aircraft has two First Suites, 14 Business seats and 144 Economy seats. Gothenburg becomes Etihad’s fifteenth new destination of 2026, while Swedavia says the service is the first direct connection between Gothenburg and the UAE. High-speed Wi-Fi will be available in all cabins.
Abu Dhabi will also work as a connecting point for longer trips across Etihad’s Asian network. The airline highlights onward services to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru and Colombo. Travellers who want to stop in the UAE can also use Etihad’s stopover programme, with eligible connecting passengers able to add a hotel stay of up to two nights.
The new route gives West Sweden a direct long-haul connection it has not had before, but the seasonal dates matter. Flights currently run only until 21 March 2027, so later spring trips will need another routing. During the winter schedule, the four weekly services should be particularly useful for people heading to Abu Dhabi or connecting onwards without first flying through another European hub.