"Alaska Air Group would be an ideal buyer and operator of Embraer's new E2 regional jet, the Brazilian jet maker's top airplane salesman said.

Embraer Commercial Aircraft's vice president of marketing, Rodrigo Silva e Souza, made the remarks as he spoke to reporters at Embraer's facility at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

According to a report by Flight Global, Souza highlighted several reasons why Alaska and rivals Spirit Airlines and United Airlines would be smart to acquire E2s, saying the aircraft's low trip cost could enable the airlines to successfully expand into smaller, undeveloped markets.

The E2 is an ideal replacement for Boeing 737-700 single aisle jets and also Airbus A319s, Souza added.

SeaTac-based Alaska currently operates 11 Boeing 737-700 jets, which feature 124 seats. Souza also mentioned 10 Airbus A319 jets Alaska now operates which it inherited from Virgin America as potential replacement candidates.

"The E2 is different from anything else on the market," Souza told reporters. "It's a completely new aircraft."

He pointed to its new wing design, flying technology, efficient Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines, two-by-two seating in the cabin and Embraer's customer support network as reasons to buy.

Embraer's new E2 line of jets, which includes the recently certified E190-E2 and the in-development E175-E2 and E195-E2, offers airlines models with between 76 and 146 seats.

Flight Global reported Alaska hasn't expressed interest in E2s so far, saying the airline is instead focused on taking delivery of the current model E175s it's already ordered.

Alaska regional carrier Horizon Air operates 15 Embraer E175 jets and 44 Bombardier Q400s. It aims to have 30 E175 jets in service and just 30 Bombardier Q400s by the end of 2019.

Embraer's shark-faced E2 was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Monday.

The E2 is facing tough competition from the Airbus A220, which is the rebranded former Bombardier CSeries regional jet.

Airbus took over the Quebec-made aircraft program, renamed it and plans to manufacture it in the U.S.

Souza said United has recently added more regional flights, especially from smaller cities, to help the airline carry more connecting passengers from its hubs.

"The E2 could have an important role for United," Souza reportedly said. "The size of the aircraft ... [is] perfect to develop those new routes, and to have a higher profitability."

Sales of Embraer's new E2 jet have been slow, but the Brazilian company unwrapped several orders at the Farnborough International Airshow this summer.

Souza expects E2 sales to pick up in 2019."