The American airline EOS is offering a daily roundtrip first-class service aimed at business travellers.

The new airline is flying between JFK airport and the north Essex terminal at a cost of about �3000 return.

Stansted Airport had a short-lived transatlantic service four years ago with Continental which was scrapped after 9-11.

EOS Fare: London to JFK �3,550 return after initial offer period Number of aircraft: One Boeing 757 Number of seats: 48 Seat size: 78in flatbed

The founder and chief executive of Eos is Dave Spurlock, an American who was formerly director of strategy at British Airways.

Mr Spurlock believes Eos can provide a new service for the "discerning business traveller".

Another American airline - Maxjet - is preparing to start a business-class service on the same route.

Both airlines aim to launch a second daily service early in 2006, doubling their overall capacity to 300 seats.