Delta’s schedule will see a 14.10 departure to JFK, arriving at 17.00. The inbound flight departs at 23.35, arriving at midday.

The carrier will use a refurbished Boeing 767-300 featuring a Delta One business class cabin, Delta Comfort+ premium economy and main cabin.

Delta quit Gatwick in 2008 when a restrictive agreement that barred it from Heathrow ended, but it is returning in the hope of stifling competition from Norse Atlantic and JetBlue, which now also serve Delta’s JFK hub. British Airways also operates a seasonal daily flight.

The carrier’s return also coincides with the 45th anniversary of Delta beginning flights to the UK.

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Delta Air Lines back to Gatwick. It means that we will expand furthermore our connectivity to the US.

"This trust from such a network carrier as Delta underlines the competitiveness and the operational capabilities of Gatwick.”