A woman in Malaysia has revealed that she commutes to work by plane every day because it’s cheaper than renting in the city. Racheal Kaur, an AirAsia employee, flies 40 minutes from Penang to Kuala Lumpur each morning and returns home in the evening.
She wakes up around 4 a.m., drives to the airport, boards her flight at 5:55 a.m., and arrives at her office—just a five-minute walk from the airport—by 7:45 a.m. By skipping Kuala Lumpur’s notorious traffic, she saves time and money while also getting to spend evenings with her children.
Kaur explained that her mortgage in Penang costs around $224 per month, while renting in Kuala Lumpur would be closer to $336. Though she pays for flights, her employee discount makes the commute affordable. She says the arrangement allows her to be home with her 11- and 12-year-old kids, helping with homework and spending quality time together.
She’s not the only one choosing air travel over city rent—others have shared similar stories, including a TikToker who commuted to her New York internship by plane because it was cheaper than living in the city. As housing costs continue to rise, more people may be looking to unconventional solutions like this.
