Flying 400km daily: Indian-origin mother in Malaysia balances career and family while saving big

While long commutes are a common source of stress for many, involving traffic jams or overcrowded public transport, for Racheal Kaur, an Indian-origin mother living in Malaysia, the concept of a "long commute" takes on a whole new meaning. Her daily journey to work involves a flight, a testament to the unique challenges some professionals face in balancing career and family life.

A 400 km journey

Kaur, an assistant manager in AirAsia’s finance operations department, has become known for her extraordinary “super commute,” traveling nearly 400 km each way between her home in Penang and her office in Sepang, five days a week.

Her routine begins at 4:00 am (India time) when she prepares for work, heading to the airport by 5:00 am to catch the 5:55 am flight. The flight lasts about 30-40 minutes, allowing her to reach the office by 7:45 am. After her workday, she takes the evening flight back to Penang, usually arriving home by 7:30 pm.

Balancing career and family

In an interview with CNA Insider, Kaur shared that her decision to fly to work daily stemmed from a desire to spend more time with her two children, aged 11 and 12. Previously, she rented a place in Kuala Lumpur and would only see her family on weekends. As her children grew older, she felt an increasing need to be there for them every day.

"With them growing up, I feel the need to be around more often," Kaur said. "This arrangement lets me go home every day and see them every night."

While waking up at 4:00 am each day is exhausting, Kaur explained that the fatigue disappears when she sees her children. "It’s wonderful," she said.

Cost-effective commuting

In early 2024, Kaur made the decision to switch to flying daily, a move that she believes has helped her find a better balance between her personal and professional life. Surprisingly, her daily commute, including food and accommodation, is more cost-effective than renting a place near her office.

Kaur used to spend RM1,400 to RM1,500 per month on rent in Kuala Lumpur, which is approximately Dh1,154 to Dh1,236. Now, as an AirAsia employee, she pays only RM50 (Dh 41) per flight, bringing her total monthly travel expenses to RM1,100 (Dh906). Her food expenses have also decreased from RM600 (Dh494) to RM300 (Dh247), resulting in a saving of RM700 (Dh577).

With this arrangement, her overall monthly expenses have dropped from $474 (Dh1,740) to $316 (Dh1,160).

Challenges of standby travel

While Kaur’s commute has improved her work-life balance, she acknowledged some challenges, especially during peak times when securing a flight can be tricky. However, she cherishes the time spent in the air, using the flight as "me time" to reflect, listen to music, and enjoy the view.

Air travel over remote work

Kaur also prefers commuting by air over remote work, stating that being physically present in the office enhances communication and productivity. Many people are surprised when they hear about her unusual commute, with some asking, "Are you crazy?"

"There are difficult moments, especially when you’re uncertain about getting a seat," Kaur admitted. "But at the end of the day, I always make it home, so it’s not a problem."

For now, Kaur plans to continue her unique and practical commute in the foreseeable future.