Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
Before boarding flight; the cabin crew was informed of the maintenance issue so we were delayed over an hour. In the midst of Maintenance trying to fix the problem; there was a shift change in Maintenance. The cabin crew was informed that one of the engines had an ignition problem. After we thought the issue was fixed; we boarded and taxied out. I; Flight Attendant 2 and customers in rear cabin noticed a strong fuel odor that shortly permeated the cabin; causing me to feel ill! Flight Attendant 4 started feeling ill as well. I called the Captain immediately and we taxied back to the gate. Some of the passengers started getting disturbed and angry! Some passengers stated that they will file a complaint! After putting on a new part; we departed and shortly thereafter; a first class passenger passed out in the lavatory. He did refuse medical attention and stated that he didn't know what happened and didn't think it was from the fuel odor; but wasn't sure. I felt nauseous the rest of the evening and had only 3 hours of rest. The Agent and Manager did not handle the situation appropriately when we returned to the gate by not letting passengers deplane to get fresh air. [They did not] act concerned about the situation; only about just closing the door as soon as possible. [They were] not even concerned when I stated I felt sick. There was a lot of unprofessional decisions that night and safety was definitely not a first priority from Maintenance to ground personnel. The pilots were close to timing out; so I am sure their fatigue was part of bad decision making. Communication and safety needs to take first priority! My safety; I feel; as well as the passengers; was not even a concern and caused me to feel very uncomfortable and disturbed.
A321 Flight Attendant reported strong fuel odor permeated passenger cabin on taxi out. Captain was notified resulting in gate return.