Launching on May 24 next year, the daily service to Boston Logan will complement the service already in operation to New York’s JFK.

The service will operate in conjunction with Delta’s joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic and will see a 163-seat Boeing 757-200ER employed on the route with a 16 flat-bed seat Delta One business class cabin

Delta vice president – trans-Atlantic Roberto Ioriatti said: “Boston is our fastest-growing international hub and a daily service from Edinburgh in addition to our New York-JFK route responds to increased demand for travel to the US and provides greater choice when it comes to planning trips for business or pleasure.

“More American tourists visit Scotland than from any other country - over half a million in 2017 - and with more than 2,000 extra seats each week between the US and Edinburgh, Delta will help increase visitor numbers, contributing to the local economy.”

Edinburgh airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: “North America has been one of our biggest growth markets and there has been exceptional demand for those services this summer, so to add Boston with Delta is fantastic news for the airport and passengers as we seek to satisfy that demand.

"More choice for passengers and growing Scotland’s connectivity to the world are key theme in our strategy for Scotland’s busiest airport, and Delta’s decision to grow its presence here will deliver that.

"It also strengthens our partnership with them and we look forward to working together to make the route a success.”