Indian-Origin Woman Commutes 700 km Daily by Flight for Work in Malaysia, Calls It Cost-Effective and Family-Friendly

In an extraordinary example of balancing work and family life, Indian-origin mother Racheal Kaur has revealed that she takes a flight to work five days a week, covering more than 700 kilometers daily. Despite the long commute, Kaur insists that her unusual travel routine is not only cost-efficient but also helps her spend more time with her children, allowing for a better work-life balance.

A Unique Commuting Routine

Racheal Kaur, an Assistant Finance Manager at AirAsia, is no ordinary commuter. While millions of people around the world endure the daily grind of crowded buses, trains, and cars, Kaur’s journey involves airports, security checks, and hundreds of kilometers in the sky. Based in Penang, Malaysia, Kaur flies to her office in Kuala Lumpur every morning and returns home by evening — an exhausting schedule that she has managed to turn into a sustainable and surprisingly cost-effective routine.

In an interview with Channel News Asia (CNA), Kaur shared how she manages this demanding daily schedule and why it has become her preferred method of commuting. For her, flying has not only proven to be more affordable than renting a home near her office, but it also allows her to be present for her children every night.

Watch the interview video below:

Balancing Work and Family Life

Kaur, a mother of two children aged 12 and 11, explained that her decision to take daily flights began in early 2024. Prior to this, she rented a home in Kuala Lumpur and only traveled back to Penang once a week. The arrangement, though convenient for work, made it difficult to spend enough time with her growing children.

“I have two kids, both are growing. My oldest is 12, and my daughter is 11. With them growing up, I feel the need for a mother to be around more often,” Kaur said. “With this arrangement, I’m able to go home every day and see them at night.”

Kaur’s routine begins at 4 am, when she wakes up, gets ready, and drives to Penang Airport. She boards a 6:30 am flight to Kuala Lumpur and reaches her office by 7:45 am. After completing her workday, she returns home by 8 pm. Over the course of her commute, she covers an estimated 700 kilometers round trip each day.

Cost-Efficient Commuting

Surprisingly, this demanding travel routine has turned out to be more affordable for Kaur. Before she began flying daily, her monthly expenses on rent and living in Kuala Lumpur amounted to approximately $474 (around ₹41,000). Now, with the daily flights, her total commuting costs have decreased to around $316 (approximately ₹27,000) per month.

Kaur’s unique approach has also given her a sense of “me-time” during her flights, where she listens to music and enjoys the serenity of nature from the sky. Once she lands, she takes a brief 5-10 minute walk from the airport to her office, finding the journey a peaceful transition into her workday.

A Supportive Work Environment

AirAsia, Kaur’s employer, has been fully supportive of her daily commute, understanding the importance of work-life balance. Kaur’s office schedule allows her to be focused and productive during her office hours and completely dedicated to her family when she returns home.

However, the early mornings are not without their challenges. Despite the exhaustion that comes with waking up so early, Kaur says that the moment she sees her children after a long day, all the fatigue simply disappears.

“I love being at the office because being surrounded by people makes it easier to get things done,” she shared. “At home, I focus entirely on my family, but at work, I can really engage and concentrate without distractions.”

A “Crazy” Commute, but Worth It

While Kaur’s daily commute might sound like an impossible routine to many, she remains committed to it. The long flights and early mornings have become part of her lifestyle, one that allows her to strike a balance between her career and motherhood.

Despite some people calling her “crazy” for flying 700 kilometers a day, Kaur believes her decision is the best for her family and her work. “I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s tiring, yes, but it’s worth it,” she said.

Racheal Kaur’s story highlights the lengths some individuals are willing to go to achieve a healthy work-life balance. In a world where the pressures of career and family often clash, Kaur has found an unconventional yet effective way to manage both. For her, the early mornings and long flights are a small price to pay for the chance to be with her family every evening.

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