Buy and use connecting flight without using first connection?
 

I'm currently in Osaka, Japan. I see cheap JAL flights from Hong Kong to Tokyo, then connecting Tokyo to Vancouver (total $700). When I try to book the Tokyo-Van flight alone, it's much more expensive at $4000 yet it is the exact same flight (JL18).

Can I buy the HK-Tokyo/Tokyo-Van flight, and then travel from Osaka to Tokyo on my own?

its costs 4000 to fly from toykyo-van?

For that particular flight (JAL Tokyo-Van, JL18, Boeing 787 economy) it costs over $4000. There are some direct flights as cheap as $1000 on other airlines, but it would be nice to fly JAL and on a new 787. Seems so crazy that it's over $3000 cheaper for the same flight if I start out of Hong Kong instead of Tokyo.

Its possible to get away with dropping the last leg, often referred to as throw-away ticketing. However, in your case, you are dropping the first leg. This will invalidate your entire itinerary the moment you miss the first flight. Don't do it :)

Why not buy a cheap one way ticket to HKG instead, Peach flies from KIX i'm pretty sure. Boom, now you have a quickie vacation in Hong Kong and your costs are the same as buying one way from KIX.

I would be extending my full travel time by ~12 hours (fly Peach Osaka-HK night before, take JAL HK-tokyo next morning), and I would go through customs/immigration 5 times rather than 3 times. I'd also be lugging around 2 large checked bags and 2 carry on.

Unfortunately, it might be worth it. My only other cheap option is Air China for $680, Osaka-Beijing/Beijing-Van. I've heard they're terrible.

Short answer without writing you an essay: No.

what month are you looking at and for how many nights in vancouver?

Very soon (beginning of November). Buying a one way ticket to Van, planning to live there. Had some circumstances change here in Japan suddenly.

Check ITA Matrix. Try booking a return flight from KIX to YVR via NRT on JAL or ANA. I see fares listed in early November for around $1050 (JAL, 787). Then don't show up for the return leg. Air Canada is another option, they have one-way flights for the same price.

Unfortunately I don't see any sub $1000 fares on JAL or ANA leaving early November on a direct flight to YVR. For something less than $800, you're looking at either Air China via PEK or Phillipine Airlines via MNL.

JAL 787, arguably the best economy cabin in the sky:concentrate: vs Air China A330 packed with well, people from Beijing ifuknowhatimsayin:heckno:. I know what my choice would be.