Now IATA uses MSC, not first airline rule. However, in either case, the first carrier happens to be the MSC, so JL rule applies to your case and CX rule applies to your friend's case.
Code:
PSGR TYPE ADT - 04
CXR RES DATE FARE BASIS NVB NVA BG
NGO
XTPE JL Y 27JUL YXOW 27JUL 02P
HKG CX Y OPEN YXOW 27JUL 02P
FARE JPY 160700
TAX JPY 2500SW JPY 2370YR JPY 6640YQ
TOTAL JPY 172210
ADT-01 YXOW
NGO JL X/TPE CX HKG M2037.68NUC2037.68END ROE78.864
ATTN*VERIFY DAY OF WEEK RESTRICTIONS SEG 1,2
ATTN*VALIDATING CARRIER - JL
Code:
PSGR TYPE ADT - 02
CXR RES DATE FARE BASIS NVB NVA BG
HKG
XLON CX Y 27JUL YOW 27JUL 20K
EDI CX Y OPEN YOW 27JUL 20K
FARE HKD 23960
TAX HKD 120HK HKD 295UB HKD 1276YR
TOTAL HKD 25651
ADT-01 YOW
HKG CX X/LON Q4.25CX EDI M3083.53NUC3087.78END ROE7.75868
ENDOS*SEG1/2*T1
ATTN*VALIDATING CARRIER - CX
Also, CX and JL are long-standing partners, so no problem checking bags through (in fact, they code-share).
Code:
W/*JL¥*CX«
JL-131 JAPAN AIRLINES/JAPAN AIRLINES COMPANY LTD
MAY ISSUE TICKETS INCLUDING
CX-160 CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS/CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LTD
MAY CHECK BAGGAGE TO
CX