JetBlue's key cutover

 This weekend JetBlue reaches a major milestone and potential customer service disruptions as it makes a key shift to the Sabre customer service system.

Almost a year after unveiling its plans to switch from its current Navitaire platform that doesn't have the same sophistication as Sabre, JetBlue is now making the cutover.

Studying the lessons learned from its low-cost peers -- most recently and notably WestJet -- JetBlue has taken tender consideration to put measures in place to mitigate the inevitable glitches and disruptions tied to such a significant change in back-end technology.

In fact, JetBlue CEO Dave Barger during the carrier's earning call said he called out to WestJet, "and Sean [Durfy, WestJet CEO], and his team, they've been very helpful in terms of lessons learned".

Disruptions in WestJet's cutover were well documented, and JetBlue has apparently studied WestJet's experience.

Barger says there's a bit of an intentional take-down in the schdeule this weekend and also stresses internally JetBlue is "really managing expectations that it takes a period of time before people are proficient".

But JetBlue understands the short-term pain is worth the role Sabre will play in executing its long term strategy. The switch allows JetBlue to have a full-fledged codeshare with Lufthansa.

In essence Sabre gives JetBlue the necessary foundation it needs as the airline continues its transition from a pure low cost carrier. 

Yet Barger remains realistic about JetBlue's expectations for an entirely smooth cutover. "I'm not going to tell you we're overly confident, but I think there's some really good planning that's gone into place with this transition."