BRITISH Airways is to start flying direct from Sussex to New York City this month with a new flightpath launched by Peter Andre.

Andre, dressed in the same New York City t-shirt made famous by John Lennon, posed on the Gatwick tarmac with his children Junior, 10 and Princess, eight, to publicise the new route.

The former singer, who lives just ten miles from the airport in East Grinstead, with his wife Emily said: “New York is one of my favourite places to visit and the kids absolutely love it so the fact that we can get there even quicker and fly British Airways from Gatwick is such a bonus.

“I know Emily loves the city too as the shopping is amazing and the restaurants are some of the best in the world so hopefully this year we’ll be able to squeeze in a romantic long weekend there too.”

Flights on the new BA route will start from less than £400 return, including free checked baggage, online check-in, food and drink, seat allocation and in-flight entertainment.

The daily flight will depart at 4.40pm and arrive in the Big Apple at 7.30pm local time. When returning to Gatwick, passengers will depart JFK at 8pm and be home just after ten o'clock the following morning.

Lynne Embleton, British Airways' managing director at Gatwick, said: "New York is British Airways’ flagship Atlantic route and will always be one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers and business travellers alike."