Travelers preparing to take to the skies this Thanksgiving week may encounter flight delays, particularly in the New York City area, due to air traffic controller shortages, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker announced.

"If we're short on staff, we will slow traffic as necessary to keep the system safe," Whitaker stated during a press briefing ahead of the holiday travel rush.

Americans are gearing up for a bustling Thanksgiving travel season, with major domestic cities and sunny international locales topping the list of most popular destinations. According to Allianz Partners USA's 2024 Top 10 Thanksgiving Destination Index, New York City remains the most sought-after domestic spot, while Cancún, Mexico, leads international choices.