Flying and Lung Problems for the Elderly

Flying and Lung Problems for the Elderly?
I am taking a trip this September on Southwest Airlines from Louisiana to Virginia. I have heard that people with bad lungs or elderly chain smokers cannot fly because their lungs can "pop" or something. I know plane cabins are pressurized, but I am still worried for my mother. She is 50+ and still smokes ciggarettes. She can get around fine but has trouble breathing sometimes and gets shortwinded easily. Will she have a problem on this flight?
Air Travel - 2 Answers
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1 :
No, no problem, though she should speak with her doctor to be sure.
2 :
Don't worry. She'll be fine. The pressurization of planes is so good she won't feel any different than when she's on the ground. And that's a short flight.