A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
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 Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
During cruise flight; both pilots; the flight attendants and passengers smelled a sudden strong acrid odor. Both pilots donned oxygen masks. I advised ATC and requested immediate descent and clearance direct to ZZZ. I ran the emergency checklists while the First Officer flew us to ZZZ. After running QA-5 checklist; the fumes decreased significantly. The First Officer performed a smooth overweight landing at ZZZ. I taxied to the gate. There were no injuries or illnesses from the event.
Approximately one hour into flight at FL340 the Captain and I noticed a strong smell which appeared to us to be electrical burn in nature. After a brief discussion; he contacted the cabin crew to ask if they smelled it and if perhaps something was burning in the oven. They said they smelled it in the front of the cabin; as well as the back; and the ovens were not being used. We continued the discussion that it appeared to smell like an electrical fire. We donned our oxygen masks and began working through our smoke procedures. We had no smoke; no confirmed fire; and no abnormal indications in the cockpit. The Captain advised ATC and informed them we were diverting to ZZZ. The initial call went unanswered. Upon the second call; we were issued a clearance direct to ZZZ and began descending. I flew the airplane while the Captain continued to run our checklists. We determined the safest course of action was an expedited landing despite being overweight. As we progressed through the checklist; the smell began to dissipate. We landed without incident smoothly and taxied to the gate where we were met by fire and rescue crews. We then deplaned via jetbridge as the fire crews checked the plane to ensure there was currently no fire. We changed planes and later departed without incident.
A319 flight crew reported a burning smell in the cabin that resulted in a diversion.