A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
At top of climb I smelled a strange odor. I mentioned it to the FO. He smelled it as well. I called the FA and asked to take a restroom break. While in the back of the airplane I walked to the back galley to see if I could tell a difference in intensity throughout the cabin. I could barely smell anything throughout the cabin. When I went back into the cockpit I immediately could smell the much stronger fumes again. I discussed the situation with the FO and we decided that we were no longer comfortable with this unknown fume in the cockpit. I took the radios and the controls and instructed him to initiate the emergency checklists. We diverted [to a suitable airport]. Once on the ground we both noticed strange sensations for hours to come. I noticed a numbness in my face; dull headache; and a 'buzzed' feeling. I called the nurse-line that the company recommended and explained my condition. We then went to the hotel and I didn't feel normal again until I woke up the next morning. Find the cause of these fume events and take corrective action.
A319 Captain reported diverting due to fumes in the cockpit from the air conditioning system.