This Indian-Origin Mom Takes A Flight To Work Daily To 'Maintain Work-Life Balance'

Racheal Kaur, an Indian-orgin woman, commutes by air daily between Penang and Kuala Lumpur to balance her work as an AirAsia employee with family life.

Racheal Kaur, an Air Asia employee, takes a flight to work every day.

Source : LinkedIn/Racheal Kaur | Insta@flyairasia

For many working parents, managing a career while raising children is a challenging task. But for Racheal Kaur, a Malaysian mother of Indian origin, this challenge takes on a whole new dimension — one that involves flying across the country every single day.

Kaur, an AirAsia employee, has found an unconventional way to balance her professional and personal life. Instead of relocating closer to her workplace, she commutes by air between Penang and Kuala Lumpur every weekday. This extraordinary routine has earned her the title of a "super commuter", as per the YouTube channel of media house CNA Insider.

For Kaur, this demanding travel schedule was not just a preference but a necessity. As an assistant manager in AirAsia’s finance operations, she initially lived in Kuala Lumpur during the workweek, returning to Penang only on weekends.

However, the time away from her children became increasingly difficult. Missing out on key moments in their lives made her reconsider her living situation.

Kaur told CNA Insider in an interview how this dilemma led her to make a bold decision — fly back and forth daily instead of staying away from home. She started this routine last year and, surprisingly, despite the physically demanding schedule, this arrangement has made it easier for her to be present for her children while fulfilling her professional responsibilities.

“My son is 12, and my daughter is 11. At this stage in their lives, I feel it’s important for a mother to be around as much as possible. This routine allows me to be home every night, helping them with last-minute homework and spending quality time together,” she explained.

A Grueling Routine

Kaur’s day begins before dawn, as she wakes up at 4:00 am to prepare for work. By 5:00 am, she heads to the airport, catching a 5:55 am flight to Kuala Lumpur. After landing, she reaches her office by 7:45 am and completes a full workday. In the evening, she boards a return flight and finally arrives home by 8:00 pm — just in time to be with her children.

Each day, she covers approximately 350 km — comparable to an Indian commuter travelling between Aurangabad and Mumbai or Shimla and Delhi. What was even more surprising was that this demanding travel routine also proved cost-effective. By commuting via air instead of renting an apartment near her workplace, she has reduced her monthly living expenses from $474 (Rs 42,000 approx) to $316 (Rs 28,000 approx).

Despite the hectic schedule, Kaur sees her flights as a rare opportunity for personal downtime. The journey allows her to unwind, listen to music, and enjoy the peaceful views from above.

Why Not Work from Home?

While remote work might seem like a more convenient alternative, Kaur prefers the structure of an office environment. She believes in-person interactions with colleagues enhance efficiency and teamwork. Fortunately, her employer, AirAsia, supports her unique routine, making it easier for her to maintain this balance.

Despite the exhaustion, Kaur wouldn’t have it any other way. For her, the joy of seeing her children at the end of each day makes every flight worthwhile.