Date: 202107
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: A319
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise; Descent
Airspace: Class A ZZZ1; Class D ZZZ; Class E ZZZ1
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ1; Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Coalescer Bag
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Physiological - Other
Second reporter function: Flight Attendant In Charge
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Passenger
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: During initial descent into ZZZ noted slide [slight] odor near last 10 rows of main cabin while accomplishing landing safety compliance check.  Thought it strange but was still not sure of its origin or validity. It was not until Flight Attendant #2 stated; 'Do you smell that...?' I acknowledge the unusual odor -- about XA:58. I left my jump seat and proceeded into main cabin walking as far as the over wing exit seats.  As I approached the mid-cabin; the odor was strongest and clearly recognizable...; Category A (musty/dirty sock) odor.  I witnessed a couple of passengers wave their hand under their nose and questioned; 'Pew; what is that smell?' I returned to my jump seat and confirmed the odor with Flight Attendant #2 who then attempted to contact the flight deck (both a routine and emergency call) ...; neither call was answered.  A few minutes later; flight attendant #1 came to the aft section and explained the Captain was too busy with the approach and would call us back after landing about the odor.  The odor diminished somewhat after landing.  As the aircraft taxied to the gate; the Captain called to explained he believed it was due to a 'cold soaked aircraft'; much to do with humidity etc.  As he continued his explanation; I witnessed a significant amount of mist/condensation being expelled through the lower side panel vents.   I noted a slight minor burning sensation in my nose which dissipated a few minutes after landing.  Due to another delayed inbound flight; our aircraft was required to wait 1hour and 12 minutes before reaching the parking area.  I collected my luggage to deplane the aircraft and noted the odor of musty/dirty socks was still significantly prevalent towards the middle section of the aircraft.  I brought this to the Captain's attention; and he too noted the odor. He further explained how it could also be from a 'mildewed filter' (shaped like a sock) which simply needs to be changed on this aircraft.'  However; he further stated that it had 'nothing to do with Turbine Oil.'   We deplaned the aircraft without further incident.  I advised the outbound crew (while walking to the terminal) about the odor event which had transpired during the inbound flight.  [A] report and notification to [union name] also submitted.


Second narrative: We were getting ready to prepare the cabin during the descent into ZZZ and I noticed a musty odor in the aft galley. I briefly uncovered my nose to get a better sense of the smell and determined it was a very distinct stinky sock odor. The #4 [Flight Attendant] came to the aft galley about 1-2 minutes after I first noticed the odor. I asked 'do you smell that?' and told me that he did as well. He then did a walk through in main cabin. He said the odor was even stronger around the exit row area and that he noticed a couple of passengers waving their hands over their face. Because we were well into the descent; I made the decision to immediately contact the Captain to inform him of the situation. I called the flight deck once with a routine call and then an emergency call; but neither were answered. The #1 came to the back galley and told us 'The Captain knows about the situation but is too busy on the approach right now.' The #4 pulled up his manual and we both agreed it was a Category A Odor. After landing the odor dissipated somewhat; but was still noticeable. I had tingling/burning sensations in my nose and felt light headed for about 5-10 minutes. The Captain called us after we came to a stop and said 'Sometimes that odor appears when descending into a humid environment.' We waited to deplane for over an hour and the smell was still noticeable; although not as strong as when I initially noticed it on the descent. After deplaning the captain walked through the cabin and agreed that the odor was prevalent; but specifically said 'It's not from an oil leak.' He explained that's there's a filter that's literally shaped like a sock that could become dirty and can cause the cabin to smell like a dirty sock. We deplaned the aircraft and I notified one of the inbound crew members of the smell when passing by.


Synopsis: Air Carrier Flight Attendants reported an inflight fume event consisting of musty/dirty socks odor.