ATIS stands for Automated Terminal Information Service which is a recorded message broadcast at most busy airports. ATIS gives pilots the current wind, air traffic, and runway information and local temperature, dew point and air pressure at the field and each time the information changes, the broadcast is revised, with each revision being assigned the next letter in the phonetic alphabet. This designation is included in the broadcast, which is identified as, "Information Alpha..." Bravo, Charlie, etc. At ATIS-equipped airports, pilots are required to listen to the recording prior to contacting Approach Control or the tower and must repeat the "Information so-and-so" identifier when they make their initial radio call.

A pilot on the ground preparing for a flight will want to receive an ATIS message from the ONLINE ATC station.
A pilot approaching an airport will want to receive an ATIS message from the ONLINE ATC station in order to prepare for approach.

Pilots will be able to tune into the relevant ATIS by radio and hear the ATIS spoken out. This ATIS message will also be displayed in text on the pilots computer screen.

Below find some ATIS messages depicting the different kind of information you can expect to see depending on the ATC facility.