Boston’s Logan Airport Fixes Awkward Restroom Moments with Red and Green Stall Lights

Have you ever been walked in on while sitting on the royal throne? If so, I have some good news for you. Logan Airport in Boston has a bathroom feature with red and green lights showing whether a stall is available or not.

The moment I saw the post from Facebook's Only In Boston page, my mind went straight back to 2003 during one of my most embarrassing travel moments.

I was at Logan with five of my peers and our chaperone Mr. Melli, Westport High School’s Key Club/student exchange program advisor. We were heading to Okinawa, Japan to study abroad, and had just gotten through security. Our flight wasn’t boarding for another hour and a half, so I had plenty of time for a restroom stop.

Unfortunately, the stall’s door latch was broken, and someone shoved the door open while I was inside. I’ll spare you the rest of the details, but my embarrassment was through the roof. Hey, I lived to see another day, only to tell the story all these years later.

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Green Means Go. Red Means Somebody’s In There.

According to WBUR’s report back in June 2026, Logan’s renovated restroom stalls feature lights beside the door handles. Green means the stall is vacant, while red means the door is locked. That’s a pretty simple way to cut down on the awkward knocking and nervous door-handle checking, and I'm all about it.

The Massachusetts Port Authority says upgraded restrooms in Terminals A, B and E include these lights. There will also be more restroom improvements rolling out through 2027. In other words, don't expect to find the red and green lights in every bathroom just yet.

A Little More Privacy, Please

Now, would a light have saved teenage me? With a broken lock involved, I can’t promise that, but a working latch and a bright red warning would have been a welcome combination. Anything that helps someone realize there’s already a person behind that door gets my vote.

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Travel comes with enough stress without an unexpected audience during a bathroom break. So, Logan, thank you for this one. Until we meet again – just not in the men's room.