Sensible connection time is Minimum connection time with a loading for 'sanity'.

(It helps if you have lounge access should flights be on time / early.)

For this, being on the one ticket, I'd be looking to 90 minutes - 67 minutes and I'd be teetering - but contrasting a possible 4:40am awakening with 7:30am and a 3½ HOUR wait at DFW, I'd likely rebook as you did. (Not on separate tickets)

MCT for the connection is 50 minutes. (DFW, AA Dom to AA Int)

CDG boarding will commence ~25 minutes after scheduled arrival of the LAX flight and will close 57 minutes. So 30 minutes late should be ok, 45 minutes and it may be time to be rather nervous!

At DFW, it can take up to 10 minute to navigate between gates - if you know the layout. e.g. high A to high D is better walked, High C to mid D would use the train, but still with a surprising amount of walking.

Now, while you would be protected on a misconnect, it is a hassle - poor seating options, lack of pre-order meal being some of the main, as well as having to replan.

Here's the definitive thread for DFW connections: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html