Date: 201912
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Descent
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Second reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Detector: Person Flight Crew; Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We pushed back in the alley and started both engines. I noticed a smell of jet exhaust; but it wasn't too bad in my mind. The smell dissipated by the time we began our taxi; maybe 2 minutes. We taxied to 10R following 2 airplanes; I got one whiff of exhaust as we moved forward. But; again; not bad or even worth mentioning to the FO [First Officer]. The FO was PF Pilot Flying] and I was the PM [Pilot Monitoring]. We climbed to FL200; cruised for a few minutes and then descended via ZZZZZ arrival. Descending through about 12;000 feet we received a call from the FA [Flight Attendant]. I answered the call. I can't remember which FA called. She said 'I believe we had an air quality event'. I asked if everyone was OK and to describe her symptoms and what the odor was. She said the FA's in the back seemed to feel worse with scratchy eyes; scratchy throat; and a slight headache. We were now passing through approximately 9000 feet. I asked if we needed to have anyone meet them at the gate (medical wise). She said no; as the smell was gone and they weren't getting worse. I told them we'd be on the ground and at the gate in less than 15 minutes. They weren't sure what the odor was exactly; but when I asked if it [could] have been exhaust; she said that was what it most resembled; but was not sure. We landed and the FO made sure to have Maintenance meet us at the gate. As the customers were getting off the plane; I spoke with the mechanic and told him what happened. After everyone was off the plane the whole crew met up in the forward galley and we talked about the event. I asked about when they first smelled the odor. It was at cruise when they first smelled it and felt the symptoms. I asked the FA's if they were OK and if they needed medical attention. They said no. We left the aircraft with the mechanics. I asked if he wanted me write up the odor; because I had not put anything in the logbook. He told me that he didn't need it in the book. The FO and I debriefed the event and talked about it from start to finish. He also noticed the smell of exhaust; but didn't say anything because it happens from time to time. And the smell dissipated rather quickly. I wasn't sure where to file the report; I picked crew illness because I later found out that the 3 FA's were taken off of their trip due to the Air Quality Event. We were rushing to get to our next flight. We were at gate XX and were going to XY and had about 55 minutes to do so. I should have called a timeout and read the FOM about Air Quality Events. I should have written it up in the logbook and called the [Duty Officer]. Lesson learned - don't allow the tight schedules and plane swaps influence the task at hand.


Second narrative: I was the 'B' FA; After Door closure and demo; and compliance checks we sat in jump[seat] and noticed a strong smell; it smelled like exhaust fumes; the plane backed out and taxied to takeoff; smell continued to worsen. We were covering our nose and mouth and hoping it would dispute. Our eyes and throat were burning; and headaches began; at 10;000 ft we got up to do service. As we reached the main cabin it seemed to dissipate....but then the 'C' flight attendant and I noticed we started to feel fuzzy headed and lack of clarity...we completed our short pub service; trash and compliance and took our jump seats. Upon arrival and deplaning our symptoms seem to worsen...the gate agent also noticed the same smell upon our arrival. As we began to debrief with CA and FO it became clear none of us were fit to fly. We called Supervisor and went to ER in ZZZ. Suggestion: call forward to flight deck immediately upon noticing abnormal exhaust fume levels! Request back to gate!


Synopsis: A320 Captain reported Flight Attendant notification during initial descent of 'air quality event' in the cabin with Flight Attendants experiencing physiological symptoms.