Is there any structural reason for fares this high? Or just "airfares vary" in this case? Just wondering whether AA is using some form of "married segment" or similar type device to keep fares high for this given it originates in DFW. This fare all the more surprising given the global travel backdrop and surplus widebodies AA has right now, all of which led me to assume this kind of thing should price cheaper than a historical average.

And appreciate the suggestions, just a little hesitant to get creative given these are relatively neophyte travelers, so their ability to recover if something goes awry on separate tickets, etc is probably limited. Then again, I'm really not paying more than I just paid for DFW-Eur for this upcoming summer in J. Maybe I just lay out pros and cons and have them "opt-in" to the creative separate ticket solutions, with all the appropriate caveats that come with it.