How does unaccompanied minors work?

Question:

My parents are thinking about sending me away to visit relatives but cant come with me on the plane? they want to know more about it. they think its not safe . im begging them to let me. i just want to know how it works does a flight attendent sit with you . and someone told me they put u in first class is that true ? how old do u have to be to fly alone out of the country? Is it safe to fly alone out of the country. the plane my parents are thinking about is alitalia couse no other plane goes to my country. Thanks

Answer:

You need to ask the airline its own rules regarding unaccompanied minors since they differ. For many airlines though if you are 12 years old or higher you are considered an adult and can fly alone without any special requirements. For Alitalia it is 15. If you're younger then you are unaccompanied minor, and generally the airline needs to get the contact info of the person taking you to the airport as well as who is picking you up when you arrive. Some airlines also have surcharges. If you are connecting from one airline to another you must make sure that both airlines allow such connections. Many don't.
You're seriously dreaming if you think that unaccompanied minor means a free bump up to first class.
And you are not sitting with the flight attendants either. Some airlines like JAL and ANA can do unaccompanied minor service from 5 years old.
People are sending their kids as unaccompanied minor all the time - it is quite safe as far as Japan goes. You don't exactly say where you are leaving from though, but since losing a kid is a big legal and media nightmare, all airlines are very careful.