A new long-haul route to Shanghai from Gatwick is to be introduced this winter.
China Eastern Airlines will serve China’s largest city from December 7.
An Airbus A330-200 will be deployed on the route with Gatwick departures on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays to Shanghai Pudong airport.
More than 70,000 seats a year will be made available by China’s second biggest airline.
The plans were unveiled as Gatwick reported year-on-year long-haul growth of 20.8% in July.
Routes to Asia routes grew by 134.8% while US connections continue to prove popular, with New York up 67.5%, Boston 58.7% and Las Vegas 32.5%.
Tampa saw a 5.3% increase in passenger numbers last month, ahead of new Norwegian flights from Gatwick to the Florida city in October.
However, UK domestic, Ireland, European scheduled and European charter numbers all fell from the airport in July.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “I’m delighted to welcome China Eastern to Gatwick and look forward to the start of this vital new link to Shanghai which, like London, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most important cities and business hubs.
“Starting from such a strong position gives this new route every chance of success, as it will be popular with business passengers travelling between the two economic centres, as well as leisure passengers keen to sample the excitement of China’s largest city.”
He added: “July’s traffic figures demonstrate that Gatwick’s long-haul network is driving the airport’s growth.
“These connections to China and other non-European countries will take on extra significance in a post-Brexit Britain as we become more reliant on them to generate vital growth through trade and by exploiting the other business opportunities that they provide.”