A method for operating an air conditioning system, which may include a heating device, to condition air in a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle. At least one first air path and at least one second air path may each fluidically communicate with the air conditioning system and each open out into the vehicle interior. The method may include guiding the air from the vehicle interior via one of (i) the at least one first air path and (ii) the at least one second air path to the air conditioning system as a function of an operating state set in the air conditioning system. The method may also include guiding the air from the air conditioning system via the other of the one of (i) the at least one first air path and (ii) the at least one second air path into the vehicle interior.