Commercial Fixed Wing
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Work Refused
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
Boarding was complete. Waiting for main cabin door closure. Requested air in the cabin as it was getting stuffy in the rear of cabin where I was stationed. I was FA/B. As soon as air came on; I noticed a smell and within a minute noticed a fog or light smoke in cabin. Called FA/A to ask if he noticed it. At same time he had noticed and was telling the CA. CA quickly came out of flight deck and got on the PA and directed passengers to quickly deplane and to remain together away from plane but inside white painted lines. I told the unaccompanied minor seated in row 19 to follow the last passenger off with myself behind. I noticed passengers were gathering all their stuff and line wasn't moving so I got on PA and told passengers to leave their things so we could deplane quickly. We all gathered outside plane then were directed to go into the terminal to wait for further details. I accompanied the minor and talked with her mom on phone to let her know what was going on then handed minor over to gate agent so I could return to the plane and my crew. After we were able; we helped gather the passenger's stuff they left on board and we took everything to a different plane and passengers re boarded and we departed for ZZZ1 1 hour and 45 minutes later. FA/A reported that he quickly exited the plane to put the step-in place as he was concerned that many of our passengers would have trouble exiting without it. We had 4 wheelchair passengers on board. He returned to his position to help with the deplaning.
Flight Attendant reported odor and light smoke in the passenger cabin when supplementary air provided while finalizing boarding.