A330
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 24000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
After takeoff there was a strong smell in the cockpit and cabin which smelled like wire insulation or electrical equipment burning. Continued with climb out to 12;000 ft.; then leveled off. Communicated with cabin crew and verified the extent of the problem. Decided to [request priority handling] with departure control and requested a return back to ZZZ for an overweight landing. Requested they roll the emergency equipment with approach control and ask approach to notify Dispatch of our [situation]. Returned to the field. Performed a visual approach to a soft landing. Remained on the runway till crash & rescue had a chance to inspect the aircraft. Then taxied to the gate and removed passengers.
Right after takeoff Flight Attendant called complained about strong burning smell in the cabin which we could also smell in the cockpit. Communicated with cabin crew to verify the extent of the problem in the cabin. Burning smell also got stronger in the cockpit. We decided to [advise ATC] and return to ZZZ. We also requested approach control to roll the emergency equipment and contact Dispatch. We Landed overweight; remained on the runway till crash and rescue had a chance to inspect the aircraft. Then taxied to the gate and removed the passengers.
A330 flight crew reported a strong burning" smell was noticed throughout the aircraft during departure resulting in a return to the departure airport"