Etihad Airways launches service from göteborg landvetter airport. Direct News Source Etihad Airways will begin operating flights between Gothenburg and Abu Dhabi four times a week starting in December. The new route has been eagerly anticipated by both the business community in the region and leisure travelers. It will significantly enhance connectivity from West Sweden to Asia and Australia. This CAPA Analysis Report is 574 words. Create a CAPA account. Get a taste of its expert analysis and research publications by signing up to CAPA Content Lite for free, or unlock full access with CAPA Membership. | Inclusions | Content Lite User | CAPA Member | | News | / | / | | Non-Premium Analysis | / | / | | Premium Analysis | / | / | | Data Centre | / | / | | Selected Research Publications | / | / |

Etihad announces earlier Calgary launch at YYC event. Oil isn't the only thing linking Alberta and the Middle East anymore. Months before Etihad Airways' inaugural Calgary flight is set to depart, demand has already prompted the airline to move up its launch. The nonstop service between Calgary and Abu Dhabi will now begin 25OCT26, instead of November, allowing business travellers to attend ADIPEC, one of the world's largest energy conferences. Etihad marked the upcoming launch with a reception at Calgary's Ampersand building, where travel advisors and industry partners sampled Emirati hospitality and stepped inside business class suites flown in for the occasion. Nonstop to the Middle East This new service is Calgary's first nonstop connection to the Middle East, and opens up more than 100 onward connections across Asia, Africa and the Middle East through Etihad's Abu Dhabi hub. The flight will run four days a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Flight time runs roughly 14 hours, departing Calgary at 6.05 p.m. and landing in Abu Dhabi at 7 p.m. the next day, with the return leaving Abu Dhabi at 8.45 a.m. and touching down in Calgary by 12.20 p.m. "We're cautiously optimistic that's going to expand fast," said Arik De, Etihad's Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, of the route's growth potential. The new flight provides a competitive option for travellers heading on to India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Gulf, while also giving leisure travellers another one-stop alternative to Europe and beyond. YYC Airport Authority Chief Commercial Oficer Chris Hedlin Hedlin noted the importance of the route goes beyond Calgary's first nonstop service to the Middle East. "This new route opens dozens of onward destinations through Abu Dhabi that previously required much longer journeys. What used to take 24 hours now runs closer to 14 or 15, depending on the direction," he says. The onboard experience Calgary will receive Etihad's latest Boeing 787-9 product. Business class features lie-flat suites with sliding privacy doors, in addition to wellness-focused touches, from antioxidant welcome drinks to expanded dietary options in its lounges. Economy travellers can also look forward to a few extras. Travellers can expect a 31-inch seat pitch, 13-inch seatback entertainment screens, high-speed Wi-Fi and a choice of up to four meal options, something rarely seen in economy class. Partnerships with Canada's two largest airlines The new route is backed by partnerships with both Air Canada and WestJet. The carrier's codeshare agreement with Air Canada allows customers to book seamless itineraries while earning and redeeming Aeroplan points on eligible flights. An interline agreement with WestJet also allows travellers to connect on a single ticket with through-checked baggage. For clients whose final destination is Dubai, Etihad offers complimentary coach transfers between Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport and central Dubai, allowing advisors to package the UAE's two largest cities into the same itinerary. Don't skip the stopover Perhaps the biggest draw for advisors is Etihad's complimentary stopover program. Eligible passengers can spend up to two nights in Abu Dhabi with hotel accommodation included before continuing to their final destination. For travellers accustomed to connecting through major hubs, it offers the chance to turn a layover into a vacation. "We know Abu Dhabi is still a bit unknown compared to Dubai," said Javier Alija, Etihad's Vice-President of Global Sales and Distribution. "When people come and experience Abu Dhabi, it changes their perception. Eighty-five per cent of guests who stop over return to Abu Dhabi within two years."

Air New Zealand misses top regional airline in passenger awards. August 10, 2026 - 11:00pm Air New Zealand has been edged out by its trans-Tasman rival, Qantas, in a 40,000-strong passenger vote for best airline in the region. In the latest Flyers' Choice Awards hosted by AirlineRatings.com, the national carrier was forced to settle for second place in the Australia and Pacific region, with Virgin Australia rounding out the top three. The results revealed contradictions between how the public views Air New Zealand and how industry experts rate it. In the "Peace of Mind" safety category, travellers ranked Air New Zealand fifth, placing it behind Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Etihad Airways and Emirates. Yet in April, the carrier became the first in Australasia to earn AirlineRatings.com's top "seven-star-plus" safety rating following six undercover audit flights testing cabin crew responses to unbuckled seatbelts, lithium battery compliance, and turbulence safety procedures. A similar split emerged in the cabin. Passengers placed Air New Zealand third in Economy, behind Singapore Airlines and Emirates. In contrast, AirlineRatings.com editorial judges had crowned Air New Zealand the world's Best Economy Class Airline in March, praising its Skycouch design. In other cabin classes, Air New Zealand placed third in Premium Economy, but failed to rank in Business Class, where industry giants Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines swept the top spots. AirlineRatings.com chief executive Sharon Petersen told Stuff that because the Flyer's Choice Awards are a genuine popularity vote, naturally the larger airlines have an advantage simply because more people have experienced them. "Air New Zealand is not one of the world's biggest airlines, yet it continues to perform strongly across multiple categories. Its rankings in areas such as Best Economy and, particularly, Greatest Peace of Mind are especially impressive because they speak to something deeper than brand awareness; they reflect the trust and loyalty passengers have for the airline." Air New Zealand chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O'Brien told Stuff being voted the second most-preferred airline in Australia and the Pacific, alongside top-three recognition for economy and premium economy cabins, by travellers means a great deal. "This recognition belongs to our incredible Air New Zealand team, who work hard every day to care for our customers and deliver on our purpose of connecting New Zealanders with each other and Aotearoa with the world." While missing out on the regional crown, Air New Zealand made a splash in the aesthetic department. The carrier took second place in the Best Livery category - which rates the visual design and branding on the outside of an aircraft - finishing just behind Vietnam Airlines and ahead of Etihad Airways. When it comes to low-cost carriers, Jetstar came in joint third place with European carrier Easyjet. It was the Asian airlines that came in top, with VietJet Air and AirAsia coming in first and second. Other regional awards went to British Airways for the UK and Europe, Emirates for the Middle East and Africa, Delta for the USA and Canada, Cathay Pacific for North East Asia, and Latam for South and Central America. Paid Content