This Indian-Origin Mom Flies Over 350 KMs, 5 Days A Week For Work

Meet Racheal Kaur, an assistant manager in AirAsia's finance operations department. Rightfully dubbed the "Super Commuter," this mother-of-two takes a flight to work every day. Five days a week, she wakes up at 4 a.m. to get ready and travel to her office. After gaining attention on social media for her unusual daily commute, she claims that flying to work is not only more affordable but also allows her to spend more time with her children. 

While travelling back and forth from Penang to Kuala Lumpur may seem exhausting, this was not her initial work arrangement. Racheal previously rented a home in Kuala Lumpur near her workplace and would visit her children in Penang on weekends. However, being away from her kids in a different city took a toll on her work-life balance. That’s when she decided to start flying daily—an arrangement she says has helped her maintain a proper balance between her personal and professional life.

“I have two kids, both are growing. My oldest is 12 and my daughter is 11. With them growing I feel that the need for the mother to be around more often. And, with this arrangement I’m able to go home every day and be able to see them at night," she said in an interview with CNA Insider.

Since adopting this routine in 2024, Kaur has been waking up at 4:00 a.m. to prepare for work. She leaves her home by 5:00 a.m. to catch the 5:55 a.m. flight. After completing airport procedures, she boards the flight and arrives at her office by 7:45 a.m. After a full day at work, she returns home by 8:00 p.m.

CNA Insider reported that her daily commute, including food and accommodation, is more affordable than when she rented a house near her office. In fact, she even manages to save money under this new routine. She previously spent $474 (around ₹42,000) per month, but now her expenses have dropped to $316 (around ₹28,000) per month.

How AirAsia Reacted To Their Employee's Unique Way Of Commuting? 

Kaur's employer, AirAsia, was always open to this arrangement. She stated that it has helped her maintain a work-life balance. “When I’m here, I focus 100% on my job, and when I’m home, I can focus 100% on my family.”

When asked about her decision to fly daily instead of opting for a work-from-home arrangement, Kaur said that this setup worked better for her than working remotely. She told CNA Insider, “Being surrounded by people, it’s easier to get a task done. You know when you’re able to communicate with people face to face.”

Kaur revealed in her interview that when people learn about her commute routine, they are usually amazed or shocked. While some express their wonder, others often react with disbelief, saying, “Are you crazy?” As Kaur opens up on continuing this arrangement in the future as well, she also shared how she copes with exhaustion.

“It is exhausting to wake up every day at 4:00 am. The moment I reach home, I get to see my kids. All that exhaustion is just gone. It’s just wonderful.”