Date: 202002
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Aircraft: B737-900
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi; Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Passenger; Person Flight Crew; Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We boarded Aircraft X per usual; the D Flight Attendant and the A Flight Attendant called back to the aft gallery and reported a strong smell of fuel around row 6 forward into the first class cabin. As the two aft flight attendants we walked forward smelling/sniffing the cabin to see if we picked up on the same alarming smell. Yes. We could smell the strong fuel like substance. The flight deck was notified. First Officer came out to smell as well and he also experienced the fuel like smell at row 4/6. We continued to take off and close the door after waiting to see if once we disconnected from APU and had different air circulation. As we taxied on the runway it's my understanding that the two forward flight attendants started to smell the strange yet strong odor once again. The D Flight Attendant made the call to return to gate. Once we returned to gate we had passengers stay on at first until Maintenance came on board. Then passengers were asked to deplane; leaving us crew on board. They turned on the heat high; ran the appropriate tests and even had the engines running in which we were on board with all doors closed at this time. The exhaust became very strong and at this point I began to have a headache from all the 'testing' after the so called appropriate testing we reboarded the passengers; added more fuel because we had burned fuel during all the tests. Another strong exhaust smell came throughout the cabin. I had a passenger in 32 become concerned about the odor. We continued to takeoff to ZZZ. Throughout the flight; I had an ongoing headache and my A Flight Attendant mentioned she had a slight headache as well. We returned to base and continued home. Exposed to fuel fumes and exhaust for long periods of time while the 'testing' occurred on the aircraft. At one point we were on the aircraft with very strong exhaust fumes with all exits closed. I experienced a headache from the odor that continued throughout the flight and on my return drive home.Remove the crew for parts of the testing onboard. I recognize we needed to point out the smells if they become present again but leaving us on board the entire time while many fuel; air circulation and mechanical tests occurred wasn't the smartest yet healthiest choice.




Synopsis: B737 Flight Attendant reported a strong fuel" smell was detected during taxi-out that resulted in a return to the gate."