For most people, commuting means sitting in traffic or squeezing onto a crowded train. But for Racheal Kaur, a mother of two from Malaysia, getting to work involves something far more extreme—boarding a plane every single day.
Why She Flies Instead of Renting
Racheal, who works in Kuala Lumpur, lives in Penang—a city nearly four hours away by car. Instead of relocating or renting an apartment in the expensive capital, she’s found a surprising solution: a 40-minute daily flight.
“With this arrangement, I’m able to go home every day, see my kids at night, and help out with any last-minute homework,” Racheal told Newsflash.
Her son is 12, and her daughter is 11—ages when having their mother around is more important than ever.
A Super-Commuter’s Routine
Racheal’s daily routine is not for the faint-hearted:
- 4:00 AM: Wake up and get ready.
- 5:00 AM: Head to the airport.
- 5:55 AM: Board her flight to Kuala Lumpur.
- 7:45 AM: Arrive at work.
After a full day at the office, she takes a flight back home—just in time for dinner with her kids.
Is It Really Cheaper?
Despite working for AirAsia, Racheal doesn’t get free flights—she still has to buy tickets. But she says it’s still cheaper than renting in Kuala Lumpur, where an apartment would cost her over $300 per month.
Instead, she pays a $223 monthly mortgage in Penang and avoids the stress of moving her family.
The Rise of Super-Commuters
Racheal isn’t alone in making extreme commutes. In the U.S., thousands of workers travel long distances every day.
- A New York hairstylist regularly flies from Charlotte to NYC for work.
- One employee pays over $1,000 a month to commute between Washington, D.C., and New York City.
- Some reverse super-commute, living in expensive cities while working elsewhere.
While it’s not the most conventional way to get to work, for Racheal, flying is the best way to balance career and family life—even if it means waking up before dawn every day!
