EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
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 at FL230; we experienced a strong odor in the cockpit. The odor was present in the cabin also. We believe the odor originated in the cabin first. When we experienced the odor; we were in IMC and several lightning flashes occurred close by. We [Requested Priority Handling] with ATC; requested a diversion to ZZZ and performed an emergency descent. We advised ATC to have fire rescue standing by. We were vectored for the ILS XXL and performed a normal landing. Fire rescue inspected the aircraft then followed us to the gate. No injuries. Flight Attendant and flight deck crew as well as passengers detected the electrical odor. We immediately [Requested Priority Handling]; requested a diversion; and performed emergency descent.
Sulfur type fumes detected in cockpit at cruise altitude. Went away approximately. 10-15 seconds. Alerted Flight Attendant and she smelled it too. She reported no smoke from the lavatory or anywhere else. Although the flight deck smell went away but returned at approx. 2000-3000 ft.; the cabin smelled it the whole way down. They said it got stronger through the descent. Diverted to ZZZ; as this was the closest suitable airport in terms of time.
EMB-145LR flight crew reported strong odor in cockpit; also reported by Flight Attendants during cruise; and diverted to nearest suitable airport.