Architect Convicted in Flight Altercation Loses Judging Role

Simone de Gale, 44, has been removed from her role as a judge for the World Architecture Festival after being convicted in her absence of multiple charges related to an incident on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Dubai to London Heathrow on February 5. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

De Gale failed to appear in court to answer charges including assault by beating, behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of crew, and being drunk aboard an aircraft. Ealing Magistrates' Court heard that the architect became verbally abusive and physically assaulted flight attendant Sarah Jane Buckland after being asked not to disturb a sleeping infant. |

During the flight, de Gale repeatedly shouted and swore at staff, including telling Ms. Buckland, "You're a f***ing dumb air hostess. You need to learn your place." She also accused the flight attendant of racism and jabbed her near the collarbone while grabbing her cardigan. Passengers on board corroborated the account, stating that de Gale boasted about her profession and claimed flight attendants were "only there to serve drinks and food."

De Gale's personal assistant informed the court that she had been stranded in Dubai since September 8 and was scheduled to return to the UK that weekend. Upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport, bodycam footage showed de Gale telling officers, "I don't think that's possible," and "I recorded everything on a video."

Following the court's decision, a spokesperson for the World Architecture Festival confirmed that de Gale had been asked to step down from the judging panel. Her profile page on the festival's website has since been removed. Attempts to reach de Gale for comment have been unsuccessful.

De Gale established her own architectural firm in 2009 with support from The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. She has received accolades, including Architect of the Year at the Women in Construction Awards in 2017, and has previously met members of the royal family at events. She was also featured in a government campaign for the Department for Business and Trade in 2021. |

She also served as a board advisor for The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and recently became Head of Planning at The Belgravia Society in June 2024, where she remains listed as a committee member. |

Her professional background includes work on London Underground infrastructure for Westfield shopping centre and designing facilities for Gazprom. She also contributed as an architecture writer for the Huffington Post.