Simone de Gale, a 44-year-old architect from Notting Hill, West London, has been convicted in absentia of assaulting a flight attendant and using threatening and abusive behavior during a Virgin Atlantic flight from Dubai to Heathrow in February. De Gale failed to appear at a hearing held at Ealing Magistrates' Court, which issued a warrant for her arrest following the verdict.

According to court details, the incident began when a flight attendant, Sarah Jane Buckland, asked de Gale to avoid walking through an aisle where passengers, including a sleeping baby, were resting. Witnesses reported that de Gale reacted aggressively, shouting profanities and asserting her professional status by repeatedly stating, "I’m an architect and you’re just a f***ing air hostess." Buckland testified that de Gale's behavior escalated, including jabbing her near the collarbone and pulling on her cardigan in a confrontational manner.

Buckland also recounted that de Gale accused the cabin crew of racism and demanded to speak to the captain, further intensifying the situation onboard. The flight attendant described de Gale's actions as aggressive and disruptive, noting that she attempted to calm the situation without success.

The charges against de Gale included assault, being drunk on an aircraft, and two counts of abusive behavior towards cabin crew. Her personal assistant stated that de Gale had been stranded in Dubai since September 8 due to unspecified reasons and was expected to return to the UK that weekend.

The court found de Gale guilty on all charges despite her absence. A warrant for her arrest has been issued, but it remains unclear when or if she will surrender to authorities. The case highlights issues related to passenger conduct on flights and the challenges faced by airline staff in managing disruptive behavior.