Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 130; Flight Crew Total 36300; Flight Crew Type 4965
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Electronic Device
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Equipment / Tooling
[Enroute at] FL360; Purser called to inform me there was a short duration smell of burning plastic across rows 46-48. The strong smell diminished lasting a few minutes. I reported to Dispatch via ACARS after telling [the Purser] to [alert] F/As (flight attendants) throughout the cabin to look; smell; and touch for any signs of fire; smoke fumes and report back to me immediately if there were any changes. [The Purser] and I discussed the possibility of a hot charger. [About half an hour later; the Purser] reported rows 26-28 ABC; smelled not like burning plastic; but 'cilantro'. The sweet smell moved forward to row 23. [A few minutes later; the Purser] reported that row 26 DE turned to a faint electrical; burnt plastic smell. I asked her to check for hot chargers. She said row 26 DE had two piping hot chargers which were now disconnected. The smell went away. [About an hour later; the Purser] called me and said the hot electrical smell was back; and very strong in the row 23-28 area. I told her to wake the passengers and make a PA to have all chargers disconnected from the outlets. I informed her I was diverting to [a nearby alternate]. I gave her time to [the alternate] and that an emergency evacuation might not be necessary; based on the current situation; but that could change. I told her to advise me if the situation got better; worse or stayed the same. [ATC] gave us discretion to 10;000 feet and we started down. F/O (First Officer) did a masterful job setting up the FMC (Flight Management Computer). [We advised] Dispatch our situation. We landed and stopped between [the runways]; [and were] informed there were no hot spots or indications of fire. We proceeded to gate. The report at the gate was no hot spots. We deplaned normally via the jet bridge and went to our hotel.
B777 Captain reported diverting to an alternate after the Purser reported electrical burning odors related to hot chargers in the cabin.