Racheal Kaur, an Indian-origin woman in Malaysia, has gained widespread attention for her extraordinary daily commute. As an assistant manager at AirAsia’s finance operations, Kaur has become a “super commuter” by flying from her home to her office daily, offering a unique solution to her work-life balance.
Kaur, a mother of two, explained that her decision to commute by air was driven by a desire to spend more time with her children, ages 12 and 11. Before 2024, she lived near her office in Kuala Lumpur but only returned home to Penang once a week, which impacted her family time. This new routine allows her to be home every evening, improving her work-life balance.
Her day begins at 4:00 am, preparing for her flight at 5:55 am, which lands by 7:45 am for her workday. After finishing her work, she flies home, arriving by 8:00 pm to be with her family. Interestingly, her flight-based commute is cheaper than renting a place near the office, as she saves on accommodation and food costs.
The commute also offers Kaur valuable “me time,” allowing her to reflect, listen to music, and unwind before shifting between work and home life. While some wonder why she doesn’t work remotely, Kaur prefers the productivity of being in the office, where face-to-face communication helps her complete tasks more efficiently.
Her employer, AirAsia, supports her routine, allowing her to focus fully on work while at the office and on her family when she’s at home. While her commute has drawn mixed reactions, Kaur finds the effort worth it for the reward of time with her kids. Despite the early mornings and long days, she remains committed to this unique approach to balancing work and family life.