The disclosure relates to an operating method for a coating system, in particular for a painting system, for coating components (2), in particular motor vehicle body components (2), having the following steps: conveying, by means of a conveying device (3), the components (2) to be coated in a conveying direction through a coating booth (1), coating the components (2) in the coating booth (1) with a coating product by means of an application device (17-19) which applies a spray jet of the coating product, a portion of the applied coating product being deposited on the components (2) to be coated while another portion of the applied coating product floats into the interior of the coating booth (1) as an excess coating product mist (21), and reducing the excess coating product mist (21) from the interior of the booth by means in addition to or other than the downwardly directed air flow generated by a filter ceiling. In addition, the disclosure includes a correspondingly designed coating system.