A319
Flight Attendant Current
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Work Refused
Aircraft
My crew was scheduled to deadhead on Aircraft X from ZZZ - ZZZ1; I was Flight Attendant #1 on my trip. When the working crew arrived at the departure gate; we asked if we could board after they completed their preflight checks. We stood on the jetway until given the OK to board. When I arrived at my assigned seat; I noticed a strange odor that seemed to permeate throughout the cabin. At first I didn't say anything thinking I was the only one who noticed the odor. The odor made me feel sick to my stomach and feel like I was going to vomit. I walked up to the # 1 Flight Attendant of the working crew and asked her if she had noticed the smell. She began to walk towards the rear of the aircraft and at the same time the # 2 said over the PA that there was a strong odor in the back of the aircraft. The other Flight Attendants were describing what they were smelling and how they were feeling. The Captain was notified and he walked through the cabin and agreed that he could smell the odor also. He quickly went back to the cockpit. A cleaner was emptying the trash and he also mentioned how strong the odor was. We were told to deplane and we all removed our luggage and stood in the jetway awaiting direction from the Captain who was on the telephone with Company Dispatch and/or Ops. We eventually moved from the jetway into the terminal after we became tired of standing up. I called Flight Attendant operations to inform them about the cabin odor. After an extended wait; both Flight Attendant crews (working and DH) went to the hotel and the pilots were deadheaded back to ZZZ1. My crew deadheaded back to ZZZ1 this morning. Reporter suggested better communication flow.
A319 Flight Attendant reported a fumes event prior to boarding resulting in flight attendants feeling ill. The flight was cancelled.