Virgin Blue will launch non-stop services between Perth and Christmas and Cocos Islands (in the Keeling Islands) in April.

Christmas Island's three weekly services will start on April 1, with the Cocos Island services to follow two days later when flights will also be launched between Cocos and Christmas Islands.

Virgin Blue will use executive-style Embraer E-190 jets on the new routes, which can carry 104 guests on each sector, upload more freight and optimise flying time.

Group chief executive Brett Godfrey says the contract will boost Virgin Blue's domestic network to 30 Australian destinations.

"Being only a few hours from Perth, Christmas and Cocos Islands are hands down two of the best, unspoilt island holiday destinations our region offers. We're confident our new services will stimulate tourism to these most remarkable jewels in the Indian Ocean, and also help strengthen relations with the mainland."

He says Perth residents will not be able to fly domestically or internationally non-stop to 13 destinations on the carrier's network.

World Heritage listed, Christmas Island is known for its red crab migration in October and November. It has 35 endemic species and acts as a breeding station for more than 80,000 tropical seabirds. Surrounded by a narrow tropical reef that plunges into an abyss, Christmas Island is an oasis for marine life. It teems with hundreds of species of coral and tropical fish, dolphins and whale sharks.

The Cocos Islands is made up of two low, flat atolls and 27 coral islands offering snorkelling, diving, reef walking, fishing, bike riding, beach combing, bird watching and golf.

While the new flights are within the Australian domestic network, all services to and from Australia will arrive into and leave from Perth International Airport.