An aircraft stowage bin with a cable-actuated coupling mechanism for latching and releasing a stowage bin, comprising: a handle assembly comprising an exterior handle configured to rotate for releasing the stowage bin, and a pivoting arm mechanically connected to the exterior handle such that the pivoting arm pivots with rotation of the exterior handle; a latch assembly positioned on a surface of the stowage bin and configured to engage a fixed latch mechanism when pressure is applied by the latch assembly against the fixed latch mechanism, wherein the latch assembly comprises a release mechanism configured to disengage the fixed latch mechanism upon rotation of the release mechanism, and a cable connected at one end to the pivoting arm of the handle assembly and at an opposing end to the release mechanism of the latch assembly such that rotation of the exterior handle rotates the pivoting arm and the release mechanism via the cable to disengage the fixed latch mechanism, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to disengage the pivoting arm such that rotation of the exterior handle does not rotate the pivoting arm, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: an axle connected to the exterior handle such that the axle rotates with rotation of the exterior handle, the axle comprising an outer end having an engagement portion configured to engage the pivoting arm; the pivoting arm connected to the axle via a spring such that the pivoting arm is biased inward toward the axle such that the pivoting arm engages the engagement portion of the axle when the locking mechanism is configured in an unlocked configuration; and a pin slidably disposed within a slot of the locking mechanism such that one end of the pin abuts the pivoting arm and an opposing end of the pin abuts a lock activation projection, wherein the lock activation projection is shaped such that activation of the locking mechanism causes the lock activation projection to push the pin outward and push the pivoting arm outward off of the engagement portion of the axle such that subsequent rotation of the exterior handle and axle does not rotate the pivoting arm. a handle assembly comprising an exterior handle configured to rotate for releasing the stowage bin, and a pivoting arm mechanically connected to the exterior handle such that the pivoting arm pivots with rotation of the exterior handle; an exterior handle configured to rotate for releasing the stowage bin, and a pivoting arm mechanically connected to the exterior handle such that the pivoting arm pivots with rotation of the exterior handle; a latch assembly positioned on a surface of the stowage bin and configured to engage a fixed latch mechanism when pressure is applied by the latch assembly against the fixed latch mechanism, wherein the latch assembly comprises a release mechanism configured to disengage the fixed latch mechanism upon rotation of the release mechanism, and a cable connected at one end to the pivoting arm of the handle assembly and at an opposing end to the release mechanism of the latch assembly such that rotation of the exterior handle rotates the pivoting arm and the release mechanism via the cable to disengage the fixed latch mechanism, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to disengage the pivoting arm such that rotation of the exterior handle does not rotate the pivoting arm, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: an axle connected to the exterior handle such that the axle rotates with rotation of the exterior handle, the axle comprising an outer end having an engagement portion configured to engage the pivoting arm; the pivoting arm connected to the axle via a spring such that the pivoting arm is biased inward toward the axle such that the pivoting arm engages the engagement portion of the axle when the locking mechanism is configured in an unlocked configuration; and a pin slidably disposed within a slot of the locking mechanism such that one end of the pin abuts the pivoting arm and an opposing end of the pin abuts a lock activation projection, wherein the lock activation projection is shaped such that activation of the locking mechanism causes the lock activation projection to push the pin outward and push the pivoting arm outward off of the engagement portion of the axle such that subsequent rotation of the exterior handle and axle does not rotate the pivoting arm. an axle connected to the exterior handle such that the axle rotates with rotation of the exterior handle, the axle comprising an outer end having an engagement portion configured to engage the pivoting arm; the pivoting arm connected to the axle via a spring such that the pivoting arm is biased inward toward the axle such that the pivoting arm engages the engagement portion of the axle when the locking mechanism is configured in an unlocked configuration; and a pin slidably disposed within a slot of the locking mechanism such that one end of the pin abuts the pivoting arm and an opposing end of the pin abuts a lock activation projection, wherein the lock activation projection is shaped such that activation of the locking mechanism causes the lock activation projection to push the pin outward and push the pivoting arm outward off of the engagement portion of the axle such that subsequent rotation of the exterior handle and axle does not rotate the pivoting arm.