Meet Racheal Kaur: The Indian-origin who flies 700 km daily to work in Malaysia

While most people dread long commutes, Racheal Kaur, an Indian-origin woman in Malaysia and a mother of two, takes an extraordinary route—boarding a flight every weekday just to get to work. And most important, it’s not hard on her pocket, she says.

Kaur, an assistant manager in Finance Operations at AirAsia in Malaysia, shared her unique routine in an interview with a Singapore-based multinational news channel.

She revealed that flying daily from her home in Penang to her office in Kuala Lumpur is not only feasible but also more cost-effective than her previous living arrangement.  

Earlier, she rented a home in Kuala Lumpur and visited her family in Penang only once a week. However, missing out on time with her children, aged 12 and 11, made her reconsider. In early 2024, she opted to fly to work every day instead. Surprisingly, this change allowed her to maintain a better work-life balance.  

Kaur's routine

Her day begins at 4 am. By 5 AM she leaves home, drives to Penang Airport, and catches a 6.30 am flight to Kuala Lumpur, reaching her office by 7.45 am.

After work, she flies back, arriving home by 8 pm. Covering approximately 700 km daily, Kaur claims this routine has significantly reduced her expenses—from $474 (Rs 41,000) on rent and other costs to $316 (Rs 27,000) per month on travel.  

Despite the early mornings, Kaur finds solace in her flights, using the time to listen to music and admire the scenery. She prefers working from the office, appreciating the ease of face-to-face communication with colleagues.  

Her employer, AirAsia, has been supportive of her unconventional commute, recognising its role in helping her balance work and family. Though exhausting, the sight of her children at the end of the day makes it all worthwhile.