For most people, commuting to work means hopping on a bus, catching a train, or driving through traffic. But for one intern, it means boarding a plane—every single week.
Sophia Celentano has stunned social media after revealing that she flies from South Carolina to New Jersey and back each week for her summer internship. And the craziest part? It’s actually cheaper than renting an apartment near her office.
With the cost of living soaring, finding an affordable place to live—especially in big cities—feels nearly impossible. So when Sophia landed a 10-week hybrid internship at an advertising agency, she crunched the numbers. Instead of shelling out thousands on rent, she decided to live at home with her parents and make the weekly trek by air.
@sophiacelentano48 me 🤝 extreme forms of travel #foryou #fyp #supercommuter #corporateintern #summerinternship #marketingintern #commutingbyplane ♬ Evergreen – music <3
A Day in the Life of a “Super-Commuter”
In a now-viral TikTok video, Sophia gave followers a glimpse into her exhausting—but oddly fascinating—routine.
“Welcome to my 4-9 before my 9-5,” she joked, referring to her early morning travel schedule.
Her Mondays start at 4:15 AM when she wakes up and heads to the airport—sometimes driving herself, sometimes getting a lift from her parents. She boards a flight between 6 and 6:30 AM, enjoying a front-row seat to the sunrise from 30,000 feet in the air.
By 8 AM, she lands in New Jersey, catches a cab, and makes the 45-minute ride to the office just in time to start her workday.
Her internship requires in-person attendance once a week for a company “lunch-and-learn” event. On those days, she powers through the commute and wraps up her workday by 5 PM. Then, it’s back to the airport for her 9 PM flight home, finally touching down in Charleston at 11 PM. Luckily, the next day is remote, giving her a chance to catch up on sleep.
“How Is This Even Cheaper?”
The price breakdown is where things get shocking.
@sophiacelentano48 Replying to @Kamille Greggs the way I wasn’t bothered by a 2 hour delay bc I’m so used to United cancelling my flight💀 #fyp #foryou #supercommuter #commutingbyplane #corporateintern #summerinternship #marketingintern ♬ As It Was – Harry Styles
Sophia books her flights three to four weeks in advance, scoring round-trip tickets for about $100. Add another $100 for Ubers to and from the airport, and her total weekly cost is around $200. In comparison, rent in New York City or New Jersey would easily set her back thousands per month—making this sky-high commute the budget-friendly choice.
Beyond the cost savings, Sophia says the arrangement actually improves her work-life balance. Living at home means spending more time with family, friends, and her boyfriend—something she wouldn’t get if she moved states away.
The Internet Reacts
Sophia’s unusual commute has sparked strong reactions online.
Some were shocked by the cost efficiency:
💬 “I don’t even wanna know how much this costs.”
Others were concerned about the environmental impact:
💬 “Girl, the emissions… why not just get a sublease?”
Then there were those who couldn’t imagine the stress of such a tight schedule:
💬 “My anxiety about being late… I COULD NEVER.”
And, of course, someone had to joke about the workplace dynamics:
💬 “Imagine showing up late and your boss compares you to the intern who literally FLEW here.”
Would She Do It Again?
Despite the challenges—long days, the risk of delays, and the sheer exhaustion—Sophia says she enjoys her super-commuter lifestyle. Having previously traveled to 11 countries in just four months for a study abroad program, she’s no stranger to life on the move.
That said, she admits this setup only works because it’s temporary.
“I don’t think I’d do this for a full-time job,” she told Business Insider. “I don’t anticipate super-commuting after this summer.”
For now, though, she’s making the most of the adventure—soaring over the struggles of high rent, quite literally.
Would you take a plane to work if it saved you money? Let us know in the comments! 🚀✈️
