Indonesian carrier Garuda is to start flights from Gatwick to Jakarta later this year.
The service is due to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2013 using a Boeing 777 with capacity for more than 300 passengers.
Flights will run six times a week, with a launch date of October thought to have been pencilled in.
This will make Gatwick the only UK airport to connect passengers direct to the largest economy in South East Asia.
Garuda president and chief executive Emirsyah Satar said the new service would complement the airline’s existing Amsterdam–Abu Dhabi–Jakarta route.
He said: “This flight will be more convenient since it will be serving passengers non-stop from Jakarta to London with the brand new B777-300ER, which will be equipped with Wi-Fi and a chef on board for first class passengers.
“We chose Gatwick as the UK airport because of its convenience and good network and accessibility options into Europe and beyond.”
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said:
“Despite being a crucial high growth business market for the UK, Indonesia has been underserved with no direct routes to the region from the UK – until now. Jakarta is also a major hub airport for South East Asia, giving UK passengers even more access and choice to the region.
“Whilst the UK is one of the best connected countries in the world, we do need more direct links to key markets such as Indonesia.
“We’re playing our part by investing in the airport and, with our airlines, opening new routes to growing economies such as China, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam and now Indonesia.”