A321
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
Shortly after takeoff we noticed an odor in the cockpit.  Thinking it might be the ENG ANT-ICE we continued flying the SID.  (We could not turn it off because of icing conditions). About 7;000 ft. the FA's (Flight Attendants) called the cockpit telling us they smelt it too. After talking to Dispatch; Maintenance Operations Manager and the FA's we decided to return to ZZZ. The odor lasted all the way back to the gate until Eng shut down. At the gate APU air was then used and was odorless.A Faulty Aircraft System causing the odor. Prevention would be an aircraft design/maintenance issue.
A321 Captain reported a fume event during departure climb. After trouble shooting and conferring with Dispatch; Maintenance and also flight attendants crew executed an air return due to the persistent fumes.