B737-800
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Work Refused; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I was the FA (Flight Attendant) C and when I went to the aft of the AC [aircraft] I immediately smelled a burning/ smoking smell in the aft of the AC. I asked the FA B to come to the back and asked if she smelt anything. She said she could smell if from rows 28 to Aft of AC. I asked her to call up front and notify the Captain and to stop boarding the plane. Maintenance was contacted and he came on board to check it out. The Captain came to the back before Maintenance and together we checked for heat sources in the AC by touch - the lavs; etc. The ovens and coffee pots were off the entire time. We also had a CSA come onboard when we stopped boarding and she came to the back and told us she felt lightheaded and like she might faint from the smell. We gave her water and she exited the AC pretty quick. During this time the Captain was very helpful and the entire crew worked as a team. The mechanic; in my opinion didn't seem very helpful and I voiced my opinion that we need to be safe. It was going to be over a 6 hr flight. He wasn't professional especially in front of other passengers on the plane; he made a comment about the plane not being on fire. Very unprofessional. The Captain informed us that we were going to go to another gate and board another AC for our flight. The entire flight crew worked very professionally and efficiently and safe together. Safety always comes first and should always be our priority.
B737-800 Flight Attendant reported 'burning/smoke' odor in the passenger cabin during boarding. After coordinating with the Captain; aircraft was assigned to maintenance and flight continued on another aircraft.