Here is an interesting experience. You would figure that it takes longer to get to Philippines from the states than to Saipan if you look at a map, and figure that Philippines is nearly 1000 miles to the west of Guam/Saipan. But it doesn't always turn out that way in flying time. Here is why. Supposing you fly to NARITA, now you connect to your next flight that takes you to Manila or Saipan. There is a direct flight to Manila from NRT, however, there is not a direct flight to SPN but it goes down to GUAM. From my experience, it takes 4 hours from NRT to MNL and 4 hours from NRT to GUM. (About the same flying distance from Narita either way.) So now, if you go to MNL, you are finally there in 4 hours, but the ordeal is not over if you are trying to destination it to Saipan. You now landed on Guam, have to wait for the next flight to SPN and then add another hour or so flying time and clearing customs in Saipan. So it actually takes longer to get to SPN than it is to Manila going via Narita, Japan. If you go the other route like IAH-HNL-GUM-MNL to destination it to Manila or you go IAH-HNL-GUM-SPN to destination it to Saipan, it would probably take you longer to get to Manila considering flights left at the same time and all but only by say 2 hours. Long story short. They are both LONGASSED painintheass flights and destinations to get to anyway you cut the butter with the knife.