Drunk 'Architect of the Year' Assaults Flight Attendant on London Flight

A passenger identified as the female “architect of the year” verbally abused and physically assaulted a flight attendant on a Virgin Airlines flight from Dubai to London in February. Simone de Gale, 44, became aggressive after a flight staffer politely asked her to refrain from walking through an aisle where a family and their 9-month-old baby were sleeping.

"I’m an architect and you’re just a f—king air hostess," de Gale reportedly stated, according to prosecutors. She further insulted the flight attendant, calling her "a f—king dumb air hostess" and telling her to "learn your place." De Gale also accused the crew of being “racist” and allegedly jabbed the flight attendant in the neck and pulled at her cardigan.

Another passenger, Graham Cox, testified that de Gale repeatedly boasted about her financial success, stating she earned significantly more than the cabin crew. Cox described her behavior as "very loud, boisterous, aggressive," and said she claimed the flight attendants were "only there to serve drinks and food."

When flight crew attempted to de-escalate the situation, de Gale became more agitated. Police were notified and met the plane upon its landing at Heathrow Airport. Officers observed de Gale stumbling, slurring her speech, and smelling of alcohol.

Footage of her arrest shows de Gale protesting her innocence, stating she did not touch anyone. However, authorities informed her she could be held for 24 hours on suspicion of strangulation, assault, and being drunk on a plane.

De Gale, who owns Simone de Gale Architects, a firm based in Dubai that has been recognized for its work with high-net-worth individuals, was convicted in her absence on Thursday at Ealing Magistrates’ Court. She was found guilty of four charges, including behaving in a threatening, abusive, or insulting manner towards a flight crew member, being intoxicated on an aircraft, and assault. Officials have stated that de Gale remains at large.